Keto Pesto Chicken and Mozzarella Stuffed Peppers Recipe
A colorful, protein-rich keto dinner ready in under 40 minutes
Key Info
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Calories: 425 per serving
- Fat: 32g
- Protein: 35g
- Net Carbs: 5g
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Tags: Keto, Low-carb, Gluten-free
Equipment Needed
- Large skillet
- 9×13 baking dish
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- (Alternative: Food processor if making homemade pesto)
Ingredients
Main Components:
- 4 large bell peppers, any color
- 450g/1 lb ground chicken (or 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken)
- 120ml/½ cup prepared pesto sauce
- 240g/1 cup shredded mozzarella, divided
- 60g/¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings:
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
Optional Garnishes:
- Fresh basil leaves
- Red pepper flakes
Method
- Preheat oven to 190°C/375°F
- Slice peppers lengthwise, remove seeds and membranes
- If using ground chicken, cook in skillet until no pink remains (165°F internal temperature)
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, pesto, half the mozzarella, and all Parmesan
- Season mixture with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning if using
- Stuff each pepper half evenly with chicken mixture
- Top with remaining mozzarella
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until peppers are tender and cheese is golden
Crucial Tips
- Don’t overstuff peppers – leave slight room for cheese topping
- Pat chicken dry before mixing with pesto to prevent watery filling
- Let peppers rest 5 minutes before serving to set
Storage & Variations
Storage:
- Keep refrigerated up to 3 days in airtight container
Reheating:
- Microwave 2-3 minutes or oven at 350°F for 10 minutes
Alternative Versions:
- Swap chicken for turkey or shredded rotisserie chicken
- Use different cheese combinations (provolone, fontina)
- Add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes to filling
- Mix in cauliflower rice for extra bulk
Common Mistakes:
- Overcooking peppers (they should be tender-crisp)
- Not draining excess liquid from chicken
- Using cold ingredients (brings down oven temperature)
This recipe doubles easily for meal prep and tastes even better the next day!
